Behavior and Discipline

Get parenting advice on toddler behavior and discipline with these month-by-month tips.

Toddler behavior is often erratic, unpredictably switching from aggressive to shy, independent to clingy, loud to lethargic — all of which can sap a parent’s sanity. But at this age, behavior isn’t a matter of good or bad — it’s a series of learning experiences for your tot (and for you!). Teaching right from wrong, self-control and respect for others is a frustrating endeavor, so here are some month-by-month tips on behavior and discipline to help you spend less time scolding your toddler and more time enjoying him.

One-Year-Old Toddler

12-Month-Old Toddler: Toddler Regression or Progression?When your toddler is mastering a new milestone in one area (like walking), it may be coupled by a healthy dose of toddler regression in another area (like sleeping). Here's what you can do when developmental milestones start to impact your child's behavior.

13-Month-Old Toddler: Aggressive Toddler Behavior: What To DoWhat happens when your precious darling starts hitting, biting and shoving? No, she's not destined to be a terror forever, but you have your work cut out for you in taming aggressive toddler behavior.

15-Month-Old Toddler: Toddler Stranger AnxietyIf you thought stranger anxiety was reserved for younger babies, think again. Stranger anxiety often resurfaces in toddlers between 12 and 24 months old — and even non-strangers (like Grandma!) can be the primary targets.

16-Month-Old Toddler: Is Your Toddler Sleep Deprived?Toddler sleep deprivation can come in many forms. The sooner you're able to recognize the signs, the sooner you can help your night owl get the sleep he needs.

17-Month-Old Toddler: Toddler Separation AnxietyAbsence may make the heart grow fonder, but your toddler is, unfortunately, a tad young to grasp that concept. If parting is more sorrow than sweet for your little one, you'll want to find ways to ease the pain that's caused by toddler separation anxiety.

18-Month-Old Toddler: Handling a Stubborn ToddlerIf your stubborn toddler refuses to get into his stroller (or car seat, or high chair), he clearly has no interest in being fenced in (and what toddler does?). But like it or not, he's going to have to buckle up sometimes — and it's up to you to get him on board.

19-Month-Old Toddler: Weird Toddler BehaviorAs crazy as it may seem, weird toddler behavior such as nose picking, knuckle cracking and belly-button fiddling are actually quite common. The trick is learning how to handle these bizarre habits without losing your cool.

20-Month-Old Toddler: Traveling with KidsTending to your toddler's needs is never easy, but it can be even harder when you're traveling. Here's how to take your show on the road — or in the air — with as little turbulence as possible.

21-Month-Old Toddler: The Terrible Twos: Fact vs. FictionYou know they're coming, but do the terrible twos really have to be as terrible as everyone says? It all depends on how you spin it.

23-Month-Old Toddler: Transitioning Toddlers Between ActivitiesWhen it's time to guide your toddler from one activity to the next, you may be met with some serious resistance. Avoid tantrums when transitioning toddlers between activities by using some of these tried-and-true tactics.

Two-Year-Old Toddler

24-Month-Old Toddler: Toddlers and TVWhen it comes to toddlers and TV, how do you decide how much (and how long) they can watch?

26-Month-Old Toddler: Teaching Positive ReinforcementAre sticker charts the key to success when it comes to toddler discipline? Here's how to provide your toddler with positive reinforcement.

27-Month-Old Toddler: Reigning in Rude Toddler BehaviorEven the sweetest of toddlers can sometimes be accidentally or intentionally rude. But that doesn't mean you should let your child be crass. Instead, try these techniques to curb (and cover up) rude toddler behavior.

28-Month-Old Toddler: Toddler Bedtime BattlesStruggling to get your toddler to sleep? What to do when bedtime becomes a battle.

29-Month-Old Toddler: The Sensitive ToddlerAlmost all toddlers can be temperamental — they are toddlers, after all! But some toddlers have a special knack for being finicky, fearful and resistant to change. If this sounds like your little one, you may have a sensitive toddler on your hands.

30-Month-Old Toddler: The Arrival of a Rival (A New Sibling)Your precious toddler — the apple of your eye — has likely enjoyed getting all of your attention until this point in his life. But with the imminent arrival of a new sibling, things are about to change. In order to soften the blow, it's crucial to take steps to prepare your first baby for your second one.

31-Month-Old Toddler: Adjusting to Day Care or PreschoolIf you're sending your toddler away from home (and you) for the first time, or even if you're just sending her to a new day care or preschool, adjusting to the change — for your toddler and for you — can be tough. These tips make it easier.

32-Month-Old Toddler: Toddler Discipline: Picking Your BattlesWhen it comes to toddler discipline, you've got to learn to pick your battles. What if you can't figure out what's negotiable and what's not? Check out this cheat sheet.

33-Month-Old Toddler: Pretend Play: Can It Get Out of Hand?You know you're supposed to encourage your child's imagination, but should you intervene if it seems to be running wild — or amok?

34-Month-Old Toddler: The Shy ToddlerWhat to do when your child would prefer to be neither seen nor heard.

35-Month-Old Toddler: Making Toddler Playdates WorkNow that your tot has her own friends, it's up to you to manage her social calendar — and that includes mastering the fine art of playdates.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect the Second Year. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.